Schwerin lights up green: a strong signal against the death penalty!

Schwerin lights up green: a strong signal against the death penalty!

Last night, the power plant in Schwerin was impressively illuminated in green light, a sign of solidarity and remembrance. On Sunday evening, November 30, 2025, the city took part in the worldwide campaign “Cities for Life – Cities Against the Death Penalty”. This comes from the Christian community of Sant'Egidio and has been celebrated regularly in Schwerin since 2006, where numerous citizens had the opportunity to sign against the death penalty in the town hall.

A large number of cities in Germany are now campaigning against the death penalty: over 300 are taking part in this important day of action. The aim is not only to send a clear signal, but also to point out the ongoing grievances in the world. Various countries adhere to the death penalty, which Amnesty International confirmed last year with more than 1,500 documented executions, excluding the figures from China. That is more than three times as many as five years ago.

A light for hope

The colored lighting of public buildings on this day is intended to both attract attention and give hope. Schwerin, which like many other cities around the world is taking part in this special event, is setting an example for respect for human life and for the fundamental rejection of the death penalty. As is well known, this was abolished in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1786, while it is still in force in 16 countries.

Another supporter of the campaign is the city of Speyer, which joined the global call in 2023. On November 30, 2025, the “Alte Münze” building on Maximilianstraße in Speyer will be specially illuminated, and the local Amnesty group will set up an information stand on Korngasse to provide further information and support.

Together for a goal

The “Cities for Life” campaign shows that many people and cities around the world are committed to a common cause: the global abolition of the death penalty. The message is also clearly conveyed in Schwerin and Speyer: Every person has a right to life, and the death penalty has no place in a progressive society. Let us set an example together and influence global developments.

For more information about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit the official website NDR or the platform of Amnesty International.